Fountain assembly



March 21,1924; D TY ER w 2,344,659

FOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY Filed July 2, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l W INVIENTOR dahw .0. T4 5e ATTORNEY March 21, 1944. J T E 2,344,659

FOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY I Filed July 2, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR do/w fl. 774 m ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 21, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOUNTAIN ASSEMBLY John Duke Tyler, Stamford, Conn. Application July 2;, 1941, Serial No. 400,731

14 Claims.

This invention relates to, a fountain assembly, forms of which are shown but not claimed in my co-pending applications, Serial No. 357,555 filed on September 20, 1940, and Serial No. 164,725 filed on September 20, 1937. More particularly, my invention relates to a removable fountain assembly for the inking assembly of a printing machine, and even more particularly, to the means whereby the fountain assembly may be readily placed in operating relation to the inking assembly.

As a feature of my invention I utilize a fountain assembly which may be readily inserted in cooperative relation to an inking assembly without disturbing the parts of the inking assembly. More particularly, it is a feature of my invention that the fountain assembly is readily applied to the inking assembly and readily adjusted relatively thereto for coaction with the ductor roller of the inking assembly.

As still a further feature of my invention, the fountain roller of the fountain assembly is adapted for rotation by moving parts of the inking assembly, and the means for operating said fountain roller are automatically placed in engagement with said moving parts by theplacing of the fountain assembly into cooperative relation with the inking assembly. An additional important feature of my invention is the movement of the fountain roller by vertical movement of the ductor roller, the ductor roller being elevatedv away from the fountain roller while contributing rotary movement to the fountain roller.

Still a further feature of the invention resides in the manner of mounting the fountain assembly whereby it is readily adjustable on the inking assembly.

I have thus described my invention generally in order that the detailed description thereof which. follows, may be better understood. In addition. to the features of the invention I have generally pointed out, there are other features of considerable value which will be described in detail in the description which follows, and which will also be claimed.

It should be understood that I consider my contribution to the art an important one, and that I do not wish to be limited in my patent claims in a manner which will make it possible for others, to utilize, with impunity, my contribution to the art, in physical forms differing from the particular mechanisms which Ihave devised.

Referring now to. the drawings, Fig. 1 isa vertical section ofqa. printing machine. to which my invention is applied, the particular machine of Fig. 1 being that disclosed in my application Serial No. 357,555. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through my inking assembly showing the fountain assembly applied thereto.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the vertical movement of the duotor roller of the inking assembly actuates the fountain roller of the fountain assembly. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the fountain assembly.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and especially Fig. 1, my printing machine is designated generally by reference numeral Ill and includes a motor II which through suitable transmission means actuates a crank rod iEconnected to a lever it which is pivoted at M to a reciprocating bed [5. The bed I 5 cooperates with an impression cylinder l5 and an inking assembly ll in a manner which is set forth in my earlier patent applications and which need not be described in detail here. It was thought well, however, to show the general combination in order that the details of the present invention might better be understood.

The inking assembly ll, which is probably best shown in Fig. 2, comprises opposed main plates 18 which are notched as at ii? for ready application to locater pins 26 carried by the main frame of the press. A suitable latch construction, which is not here shown, latches the inking assembly I! in the particular position on the main frame of the press determined by the notches l9 and the locater pins 2%], and illustrated in Fig. 2.

The inking assembly includes a suitable oscillator roller 2|, suitable inking rollers 22, and form rollers 23, all mounted for vertical movement relatively to the main plates ill for a purpose which need not here be set forth, but which is described in detail in my application Serial No. 164,725. The inking assembly includes also a ductor roller 24 which is adapted for verticalmovement incidental to the reciprocation of bed l5.

In the case of the ductor movement is imparted thereto 25 which contact the longitudinal sides of the bed l5 and are moved vertically by that bed. Thus, as the longitudinal sides of the bed If? encounter the rolls 25, the rolls 25: are raised vertically, raising simultaneously their common shaft 26. Each end of the shaft 25 is secured to a plate 2'! to which is secured the shaft 28 on which is mounted the ductor roller 24. Thus, the vertical movement of the rolls 25 contributes roller 24, vertical by a. pair of rolls vertical movement of the shaft 28, and therefore of the ductor roller 24. Intermediate rolls 29 are in contact with the lower rolls 25 and upper rolls 30 mounted on the shaft 28, and are used to transmit rotation from the rolls 25 to the ductor roller 24. The manner of rotating the ductor roller 24 is not however part of this invention, and the particular means herein shown are merely representative of one type of simple means which. might be utilized for the purpose.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 4, I show the fountain assembly of my invention, which comprises a main body casting 35 having vertical portions 36 on which is supported for rotation the fouri-.

tain roller 31 through the intermediary of its shaft 38. Fixed to each end of the shaft 33 is a ratchet wheel 39 with which coacts a spring pressed pawl 40 carried by a lever 4| freely mounted on shaft 38, and which is bifurcated at 42 for cooperation with a pin 43 extending from the plate 21. It will now be readily appreciated that when the plate 2'! move vertically with the ductor roller 24 they rotate the bifurcated levers 4| about the shaft 38, the pawls 40 of the levers imparting rotation to the ratchets 39, shaft 38,

and the fountain roller 31.

The fountain assembly is readily inserted between upper guides 44 and lower guides 45 secured as by screws, preferably to the inside surfaces of the main plates l8. It slides toward a limit stop 46, preferably provided between the main plates I8 of the inking assembly, and cooperating with this limit stop are screw threaded shafts 41 mounted on the fountain assembly 35 and adjustable relatively thereto through manipulation of thumb pieces 48. The shafts 41' determine the position of the fountain assembly relatively to the inking assembly, and more par ticularly relatively to the ductor roller 24 and pin 43.

My fountain assembly includes also the inking plate 49 which is readily adjusted through a series of eccentric discs 50 mounted on a shaft 52 and rotatable by pins secured to the discs.

To those skilled in the art it will now appear clearly that my fountain assembly may be readily applied and removed from the inking assernbly H by a simple deposit thereof between the upper and lower guides 44 and 45. They will also appreciate that the fountain assembly may be readily adjusted relatively to the inking assembly and that the fountain roller thereof is rotatable through vertical movement of the ductor roller, this movement being imparted to the ductor roller by the reciprocation of the printing bed l5. It will be further appreciated that the insertion of the fountain assembly between the main plates is of the inking assembly I! effects the engagement of the fountain roller rotating levers 4| with the ductor roller and its operating means, so that the vertical movement of the ductor roller thereafter, through the levers 4|, rotates the fountain roller.

I now claim:

1. In a printing machine of the class described, an inking assembly comprising spaced main plates, supports for a fountain assembly formed on the said main plates, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit between said plates and adapted to rest on said supports, a fountain roller on said fountain assembly, and a ductor roller supported by said main side plates cooperable with said fountain roller.

2. In a printing machine of the class described,

an inking roller assembly comprising spaced main 75.

plates, supports for a fountain assembly formed on the inside surfaces of said main plates and inclined downwardly, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit between said main plates and adapted to rest on said supports, whereby to slide by gravity downwardly on said supports, adjustable stop means on said fountain assembly, and a limit stop cooperable with said adjustable stop means for limiting the downward sliding movement of said fountain assembly on said supports.

3. In a printing machine of the class described, an inking roller assembly comprising a main frame, supports for a fountain assembly formed on said main frame and inclined downwardly, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit on said main frame and adapted to rest on said supports, whereby to slide by gravity downwardly on said supports into a predetermined operating position.

4. In a printing machine of the class described, an inking roller assembly comprising spaced main plates, supports for a fountain assembly formed on the inside surfaces of said main plates and inclined downwardly, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit between said main plates and adapted to rest on said supports, whereby to slide by gravity downwardly on said supports into a predetermined operating position.

5. In a printing machine of the class described, an inking roller assembly comprising spaced main plates, supports for a fountain assembly formed on the inside surfaces of said main plates and inclined downwardly, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit between said main plates and adapted to rest on said supports, whereby to slide by gravity downwardly on said supports, and a limit stop for limiting the downward sliding movement of said fountain assembly on said supports.

6. In a printing machine of the class described, an inking roller assembly comprising a main frame, supports for a fountain assembly formed on said main frame, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit on saidmain frame and adapted to rest on said supports, a fountain roller in said fountain assembly, a ductor roller supported by said main side plates and cooperable with said fountain roller and mounted for movement relatively to said plates, fountain roller rotating means mounted on said fountain assembly for rotating said fountain roller, and means whereby said fountain roller rotating means is placed in operative engagement relatively to said ductor roller as said fountain assembly is placed on said supports, whereby said fountain roller rotating means is actuated incidental to movement of said ductor roller whereby to rotate said fountain roller. 1

7. In a printing machine of the class described, an inking roller assembly comprising a main frame, supports for a fountain assembly formed on said main frame, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit on said main frame and adapted to rest on said supports, a fountain roller in said fountain assembly, a ductor roller supported by said main frame cooperable with said fountain roller and mounted for movement relatively to said main frame, a lever pivotally mounted on said fountain assembly, means whereby said lever rotates said fountain roller, and means whereby said lever moves into operative engagement relatively to said ductor roller as said fountain is placed on said supports, whereby said lever is moved by said ductor roller to rotate said fountain roller.

, 8. In a printing machine of the class described,

an inking roller assembly comprising spaced main plates, supports for a fountain assembly formed on the inside surfaces of said main plates, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit between said plates and adapted to rest on said supports,

a fountain roller in said fountain assembly, a

ductor roller supported by said main side plates cooperable with said fountain roller and mounted for movement relatively to said plates, a lever pivotally mounted on said fountain assembly, means whereby said lever rotates said fountain roller, and means whereby said lever moves into operative engagement relatively to said ductor roller as said fountain is placed on said supports, whereby said lever is moved by said ductor roller to rotate said fountain roller.

9. In a printing machine of the class described, an inking roller assembly comprising spaced main plates, supports for a fountain assembly formed on the inside surfaces of said main and inclined downwardly, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit between said main plates and adapted to rest on said supports, whereby to slide by gravity downwardly on said supports, a fountain roller in said fountain assembly, a ductor roller supported by said main side plates and cooperable with said fountain roller and mounted for movement relatively to said plates, an actuating member movably mounted on said fountain assembly, means whereby said member rotates said fountain roller, and means whereby said member moves into operative engagement relatively to said ductor roller as said fountain assembly is placed on said supports, whereby said member is moved incidental to movement of said ductor roller whereby to rotate said fountain roller.

10. In a printing machine of the class described, an inking roller assembly comprising spaced main plates, supports for a fountain assembly formed on the inside surfaces of said main plates and inclined downwardly, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit between said main plates and adapted to rest on said supports, whereby to slide by gravity downwardly on said supports, a fountain roller in said fountain assembly, a ductor roller supported by said main side plates and cooperable with said fountain roller and mounted for movement relatively to said plates, a lever pivotally mounted on said fountain assembly, means whereby said lever rotates said fountain roller, means whereby said lever moves into operative engagement relatively to said ductor roller as said fountain is placed on said supports, whereby said lever is moved incidental to movement of said ductor roller to rotate said fountain roller, adjustable stop means on said fountain assembly,,-and a limit stop on at least one of said main side plates cooperable with said adjustable stop means for limiting the downward sliding movement of said fountain assembly on said supports.

plates 11. In a printing machine of the class described, an inking roller assembly comprising a main frame, supports for a fountain assembly formed on said main frame, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit on said supports and including means for holding a supply of ink and a fountain roller for rotating to feed said ink, means for rotating said fountain roller mounted on said fountain assembly, reciprocating means on said main frame for actuating said means for rotating said fountain roller, said means moving into operating engagement with one another when said fountain assembly is placed in a predetermined position on said supports.

12. In a printing machine of the class described, an inking roller assembly comprising a main frame, supports for a fountain assembly formed on said main frame, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit on said supports, a fountain roller in said fountain assembly, means for rotating said fountain roller mounted on said fountain assembly, a ductor roller on said main frame adapted to rest against said fountain roller, means mounting said ductor roller for periodic movement away from said fountain roller, and means whereby said means for rotating said fountain roller move into engagement relatively to said ductor roller and its mounting means whereby the periodic movement of said ductor roller effects the rotation of said fountain roller as said ductor roller is out of contact with said fountain roller.

13. In a printing machine of the class described, an inking assembly comprising spaced main plates, supports for a fountain assembly formed on the said main .plates, a fountain asroller on said fountain assembly, means for rotating said fountain roller, and reciprocating means supported by said main side plates adapted for operative engagement relatively to said fountain roller rotating means upon insertion of said fountain assembly between said plates.

14. In a printing machine of the class described, an inking roller assembly comprising a main frame, supports for a fountain assembly formed on said main frame, a fountain assembly insertible as a unit on said supports and including means for holding a supply of ink and a fountain roller for rotating to feed said ink, actuating means for said fountain roller mounted on said fountain assembly for movement relatively to said fountain roller, means whereby said actuating means rotates said fountain roller, reciprocating means on said main frame adapted to move said actuating means, said means moving into operating engagement with one another when said fountain assembly is placed in a predetermined position on said supports.

JOHN DUKE TYLER. 

